NORMAN JAMES SHEARER (NORM)

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NORMAN JAMES SHEARER

At the wonderful age of 100, after a life full of love and loss, health and fitness, dedication to work and service to country, Norman Shearer passed away peacefully on Friday, December 17, 2021.
Norm joins his beloved wife Mil, who died in 2018. He will be deeply missed by his family: sons, Lawrie (Lana) and Ken; daughters, Cathy (Ken D.) and Pat (Ted); grandsons, Trevor (Marissa) and Sean; great-grandson Liam and Liam's dad Konrad; Ken D.'s daughter Erin and her family; his nephew Leighton, with whom he shared a special bond, and his other nieces and nephews. Norm lost his dear daughter-in-law Barb and his cherished granddaughter Ashleigh, both in 2017.
A Winnipegger his entire life, Dad always looked back fondly on his boyhood adventures growing up "between the tracks" in River Heights. The stories he told! He and his buddies (whose names and nicknames he could still effortlessly recall), swam in the Assiniboine River, had foot races to and from Fort Whyte, stood by the tracks catching cabbages that were tossed from trains, and generally tried to stay out of trouble! As the Depression took hold, Dad took on any manner of odd jobs to help out at home. Life was tough, but joyful. When he was 12, his dad, who was very ill, asked young Norman to fetch his slippers. In place of slippers, to his amazement there was a puppy - "Jack" was one of many, many pups this life-long dog lover would befriend.
On September 6, 1939 (a date Dad would recognize every year thereafter), he enlisted. Just 17! Four days later, Canada was at war. He was deployed overseas with the Canadian Corp of Engineers. He saw service in England, Italy and Holland. While training in the UK, Dad was able to spend some leave time with family in Scotland, where his Glaswegian aunts would spoil him and fill his kit bag with oatcakes.
As his children grew up, Norm began to talk openly of his war experiences. The stories were endless. His accounts were mostly of the camaraderie he shared with his mates. His wartime probably shaped his life in terms of how he viewed life and how he lived it.
Returning home after six years abroad, Norm found himself at "sixes and sevens", restless and unsure of his future. He worked at a number of jobs, including a stint as a firefighter. It was at Dixon Electric where he met Mil. They married in 1950. Once happily settled and starting a family, Norm joined Canada Packers Ltd., where he enjoyed a long and successful career. Dad retired in 1982, and he and Mum enjoyed 36 years of retirement together.
Norm and Mil had myriad mutual interests, which guaranteed an active social life and many life-long friendships - golf, tennis, curling, summers at the lake, bridge, symphony concerts and travel. But Norm felt equally at home alone in nature. He could happily spend solitary hours bush-whacking, berry picking or fishing.
Dad was always willing to put his considerable building skills to work helping his children with projects, whether it was with home renos, a cottage build, paddock construction or simple DIY's.
Norm stayed physically active his entire life. Along with the activities he and Mil pursued as a couple and with their family, Norm also boxed, ran, and played hockey (well into his 50s). He loved hockey as a player, as a coach, and as a fan. He rarely missed a grandson's hockey game, and he was a loyal Leafs fan 'til the end! He walked and golfed into his nineties. A true testament to the benefits of keeping fit.
Norm stayed mentally fit, too. He read voraciously, starting every day with the Winnipeg Free Press. If it was delayed due to bad weather, he'd get grumpy, but a good mystery novel could fill the void until the paper arrived! He never turned down a poker, bridge or crib game. A little wager made it all the more fun. He'd eagerly engage in political debate with friends and family, even though as a staunch Liberal, he was a lone voice in the wilderness amongst many of his closest friends.
At the time of his death, Dad was still living in the home that he built with his own hands for his young family in the 1950s. A month prior to his passing, we celebrated his 100th birthday. We were able to toast the optimism, mental toughness, quiet humility, wit and fierce independence of a very special man.
Our family extends sincere thanks to Dr. Sheila Domke for her compassionate and excellent care over many years.
Cremation has taken place and in accordance with Norm's wishes, there will be no funeral.
Dad supported many charities. If friends wish to make a donation in his honour, some of his favourites were Siloam Mission, the Alzheimer Society, Salvation Army, CancerCare and the Arthritis Society.

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 24, 2021